Organizers: Guy Fieri rolled up his sleeves for GLOW

After several days of filming 'Diners, Drive-ins and Dives,' the Food Network star hosted fundraising events for Girls Leadership Academy of Wilmington.

By Ashley Morris StarNews Staff

Guy Fieri talked North Carolina barbecue, the Wilmington food scene and GLOW charter school Friday at the Country Club at Landfall, all while raising funds for the all-girls school.

A representative from the Girls Leadership Academy of Wilmington said Friday the school raised thousands of dollars for the school thanks to a private dinner with Fieri Thursday night, and sold-out breakfast and lunch events Friday. More than 1,000 participants enjoyed a multi-course breakfast or lunch hosted by Fieri.

Organizers said Fieri was especially hands-on during the event -- manning the kitchen, working with the culinary team to prep late Thursday night and early Friday morning. Between all of the fundraising events, academy founder Judy Girard said Friday Fieri had only a few hours of sleep the night before.

"It has been unbelievable," Girard said of Fieri's involvement. "He is hands on when it comes to the food and he has a great culinary team, but he worked alongside them and worked as hard as they did."

The all-girls charter school is raising funds for a 700-student school on donated land near Maides Park. It will feature four buildings: a middle school wing, a high school wing, a media center and an administrative building with a 250-seat cafeteria. Combined, the four buildings will cover 57,531 square feet. The plans also include a bus loop and two parking lots with 140 spaces.

On top of his involvement behind the scenes, Fieri also did a live Q&A with attendees, spoke to the press and hung out with GLOW teachers and students.

GLOW students sang "Happy Birthday" to him, said Fieri, who turned 50 on Monday. They were, he said, the only people to sing to him this week.

"What I said to all the young ladies is that for my birthday present I would like you to remember all the people that participated in this event that are interested in helping you even though we don’t know you -- so whenever you question what are you doing and why are you there or what's going on in your life -- remember there are a bunch of people that you don’t even know that are supporting you," Fieri said.

Two classes of GLOW students helped with the fundraiser, saying their GLOW pledge and grace before the meals. Fieri said the girls were 13-year-olds but were empowered young ladies that carried themselves with confidence.

The GLOW events came after two days of Fieri filming segments for his Food Network show "Diners, Drive-ins & Dives." Fieri and his famous red Chevy Camaro were spotted at Cast Iron Kitchen, Sweet n Savory, Ceviche's, Copper Penny, Fork n Cork and Something Fishy.

A crowd member asked which Wilmington restaurant was his favorite.

"That's a good way to get run of out of town," he said, adding that the question is like asking which child is your favorite.

When asked if he favored Eastern or Western North Carolina barbecue, Fieri said he pleaded the fifth.

Reporter Ashley Morris can be reached at 910-343-2096 or Ashley.Morris@starnewsonline.com

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